Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside us while we live. – Norman Cousins

There is only one certainty in life and that is that death comes to us all. Facing our own mortality is often difficult. We have two main choices in coming to terms with our own death or the death of a family member or friend. We can choose to view death as final and become consumed in grief or we can envisage life after death and celebrate the transition to eternal life. Our beliefs and personal experiences shape how we deal with this extremely emotive issue.

Losing my sister Kim at the young age of thirty-three was a devastating blow to both me and my family. It was the first time I had experienced losing someone close. Looking back in hindsight and through my own research and subsequent experiences with people who came to me for help before dying, I found many common attitudes and mistakes associated with death. The western world in general treats the subject of dying as taboo. Something we shouldn’t talk about.

As a stark contrast, Eastern philosophy and the teachings and beliefs of many ancient cultures view death as a natural part of life. They believe that our souls are eternal. The body is only a temporary vessel that allows the soul access to Earth. Karmicly we are here to learn and grow.

When a person becomes more spiritually aware they grow to understand and accept these ancient beliefs. When you look at the two choices it should be easy to believe in life after death, rather than believe that death is final and we all have nothing else to look forward to. All religions are built on the premise that to obtain eternal life you must be good in this one.

Thanatology (the study of death and the dying) has giving humanity the insight into life after death. People who have had near death experiences bring hope and reports of a better place. Books such as Saved By The Light by Dannion Brinkley offer inspiration and comfort to us all.

In 1975 Dannion was struck by lightning as he made a telephone call to a business partner during a thunderstorm. He was pronounced dead in the ambulance on the way to hospital. For a little over twenty minutes he experienced what many people fear the most — what really happens to you when you die.

Dannion Brinkley tells how his ethereal soul leaves his earthly body and floats high above looking down at the scene of his death. He felt no pain or sadness at leaving his body or his life behind. A tunnel of bright light appears in front of him and he is quickly engulfed by it.

As he progresses into the light he feels an overwhelming sense of peace and love. He goes on to tell of meeting spiritual beings and being shown a beautiful spiritual realm.

This life changing experience is not unique to Dannion Brinkley; thousands of other people who have died on the operating table or after an accident only to come back from the brink have reported similar experiences.

If Dannion had been the only person to profess to such a profound experience then we could dismiss it as fiction or fantasy. A man with a wild imagination who suffered hallucinations; perhaps after a serious and almost fatal accident.

There are nine common traits that thanatologists like Dr Raymond Moody (author of life after life) have been able to define through countless studies with people who have had near death experiences. This research proves there is life after death. The nine common traits are as follows:

A person senses they are dead.

A feeling of peace without pain no matter how they died.

An out of body experience. Their soul or essence floats above the dead body below.

A tunnel appears and the person is drawn into another world.

Beings of light appear often deceased relatives and friends.

A particular being of light appears to greet and guide them.

The being of light takes them through a life review which highlights all the pleasant and unpleasant aspects of their life.

The person is told they must return. They feel reluctant to do so but understand they have no choice.

On returning the person has a personality transformation. They no longer fear death and are often guided and inspired towards a new definite purpose in their life.

The knowledge that there is life after death should be incorporated into your own life as well as the life of your family, friends and people who you meet along your path to eternal life. We urge you to study and become more aware of how to use this knowledge to help people who fear death. Make their transition a happy and joyous experience. Treat also their families so they may celebrate in the knowledge that their love-ones are not suffering and lost forever. They have simply migrated to a beautiful spiritual world that is filled with pure unconditional love. One day they will once again meet and be with them.

Working With People Who Are Dying

Reiki connects us to the universal life force; the energy and unconditional love that people who have had near death experiences talk about. When you use Reiki in a situation such as with a person who is terminally ill you are connecting them to the unconditional love of God and preparing them for their transition. You will often find Reiki temporarily revitalizes them so they have the energy to deal with any unfinished business they may have.

It is important to help them if possible tidy up their affairs. Teach them to heal and mend any family relationships that may have been strained in the past. Encourage them to forgive and let go of any unnecessary anger and pain. Death is not failure it is a natural part of life. Encourage family members and friends to say goodbye and let the person who is dying know it’s okay to go, and although it hurts they can survive and carry on without them. This often brings relief and removes the feeling of guilt from the person who is dying.

Reiki can alleviate pain and anxiety and bring final peace and harmony to the mind body and spirit. Reiki gives the person control of how and when they die. Reiki builds a bridge to the other side and brings the life of the person to a joyful conclusion.

Treat the family and friends if possible with Reiki after their love-one has passed on. We have found while the soul has departed and gone on to a joyous beginning the people left behind often find it extremely difficult to come to terms with losing a close family member or friend. Heal their pain and fill their mind body spirit and lives with the unconditional and omnipotent love of Reiki.

When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life in such a manner that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice. – Traditional Indian Saying